Kiburi was just three weeks old when this photo was taken.
Kiburi is getting so big! The little cheetah, born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on November 14, 2010, is weaned from milk now and on to carnivore diet mixed with canned cat food. (See previous post, Cheetah Cub at 32 Days.) Kiburi’s current feeding schedule is approximately 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m.
Kiburi knows when it’s feeding time; he becomes so excited to eat, calling out with a bird-like chirp! He dives into his bowl, making a huge mess in the process. He gets meat all over his face, feet, ears, and chest! Afterwards, we wipe him clean with a warm rag; he resists this cleaning, but momma cheetah would lick her cub clean.
Listen to Kiburi purr.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen to Kiburi as he squeals while being held.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen to Kiburi as he chirps.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Once he’s been fed and cleaned up, it’s play time! He gets to play on the floor of his room now; he runs and plays and pounces all over, giving his viewers an awesome show. The mane along the top of his head and back is getting longer and blonder. This mane will help him camouflage in the long grass, and it also protects him from the sun and rain. He’s changing every day, so hurry and come check him out at the Safari Park’s Animal Care Center, located in the Park’s Nairobi Village!
Sandy Craig is a keeper at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Thank you so much for the update on this little cutie… Is the chirping noise something that all big cats make or inclusive of cheetahs? How is his training going?
aw!!!! so cute!!!!!!
Too cute! I can picture dirty, face, feet and chest. Just like puppies! Yes- mama would lick him clean and send him to bed!
My cats enjoyed listening to the Kiburi recordings with me. They listened, ears twitching, eyes big, then fell asleep, purring.
That chirp is unbelievable?
I had always been told that the big cats cannot purr. Is the cheetah an exception?
Moderator’s note: In taxonomic terms, the cheetah is not considered to be a “big cat” and is not in the same big cat genus, Panthera, as lions, tigers, and jaguars. Rather, the cheetahs is classified as Acinonyx.
The chirping sound is unique to the cheetah only. This sound is made when a mother and cub try to locate each other. Unlike other big cats, cheetahs cannot roar but they can purr.
Kiburi is learning many new things and exploring his world, he doesn’t currently have a training regimen.
Thanks so much for the sounds! Fascinating. Thanks for the info too.
It would be nice if you would read these posts over before posting: Carnivores do not usually eat carnivore meat; they usually eat herbivore meat–or did you mean to say that this predator eats fellow predators?!
Moderator’s note: You’re right: Sandy meant carnivore diet, not carnivore meat. Most of our carnivores are fed a ground beef product formulated for zoo carnivores.
I’ve seen nature films where Cheetah cubs chirp for the mothers—they almost sound like birds! This audio blog is great idea! Makes me think I have a cub in my lap! Many thanks!
Can you see the cheetah cub? When is the best viewing time?
Moderator’ note: He can be seen daily in the Park’s Animal Care Center, located in Nairobi Village. He is feed every two hours, so perhaps 10 a.m., noon, or 2 p.m. would make for some great photos.
thanks for the sound effects! you’d swear it was a little bird chirping. cheetas have the most beautiful markings. ( also leopards ) I guess I thought cheetas were all in the big cat catagory. I learned something new today! I take it that mama is not in the picture as you are doing all the feedings? I may have missed some previous information about this. so, excuse me if you have already given out this information. interesting!
Moderator’s note: You can read Kiburi’s history here…
Thank you for the sound bytes! He sounds like a little bird when he chirps. I was not expecting a bird like chirp. And that purrrrrrr is so cute. I had no idea that cheetahs could purr like a housecat nor chirp like a bird. Loved this blog and can’t wait to see Kiburi!!
Is this adorable little guy on view for the public this weekend?
Moderator’s note: Yes.
I especially love the purring and the cheetah chirps. Thanks so much for sharing that!
My heart cuddles this itty bitty kitty. Is it ever possible to get one’s picture
made with a cheetah (preferably adult)?
Do have any video of him to share?
Moderator’ note: We just have video of him when he was very young.
How very cute. First time I have seen a small cheetah,don’t you just want to cuddle him, I envey the care takers.
Thanks for the video and pictures
lu
ummm.well first he is adorable second i cant wait to be a zoologist , animal care , or some how work with animals people see in zoos welll lets just say im only elven and would love to work at a zoo and taker of animals when im older
Moderator’s note: Roxanne, you can practice being a keeper at home if you have a pet to care for. Here’s a link to get you started…
Sandy,
I am in 6th grade in Colorado and I am trying to interview someone who works with cheetahs. Can I ask you a couple of questions about cheetahs? I love your blog, and I love the sound they make.
Do they live longer in captivity than in the wild? Are there more females than male cheetahs? Do you think the population will ever go up in the wild again? How big was the population in the 19th century? And did they ever roam in North or South America?
Thank you very much for your time.
Patrick in Colorado.